Omaha daily bee., 1887-01-27
INTERSTATE COMMERCE.
The President Of the Pennsylvania
Road on the Cullom Bill.

PHILADELPHIA, Pa, Jan. 2G.-[Special
Telegram to the BEE.l-In discussing the
probable effect of the Interstate commerce
bill President Roberts, of the Pennsylvania
road, sad that much depends upon the inter-
pretation given to some of its provisions by
the commissioners or courts. The first eff
feet, however," said Mt Roberts, Twill be to
partly see to some extent the general busi-
ness of the country, because of the fact that
the public are not prepared for so complete
and radical change in the method of trans
portation as the bill seeks to inaugurate. 1t
would be difficult to change radically the
customary methods of doing business over
the entire country, even If such change were
for the better, without for the time being
suspending many of the large transactions of
business. / think if the bill is strictly en-
forced by all the larger and more important
railroads, which ] sincerely hope it will be,
and which it will be the effort of our company
certainly to do, while a good many incon-
veniences aud absurdities will be discovered
in 1t, yet it has many features from which
mucn good may be derived in many ways to
the public. 1t will afford the rail-
road companies an opportunity
to show the public that the methods hereto
fore adopted by them In the management of
their business have possibly been as honest
and straightforward as the crude laws gov
erning them, together with the cupidity of
the public, would permit them to be. The
bill Is generally understood by the public to
be an act to enforce a more honest upright
and just administration of the affairs of
railways, while think it will in the main he
found TO be bill more calculated to prevent
the public from taking an undue advantage
OF the necessities or the railway companies
should 1t become a law our company will
make use of its best efforts to fairly carry out
what we may be advised by the best legal
counsel we can obtain as to the intent and
meaning of the bill. / don't wish to be un-
derstood by anything have said here to be
| in anywlse regarded as an advocate of this
class OF legislation. Legislation of this char
acter, which affects probably larger number
OF the whole population than any other act
that could have been passed, should have
been approached in IA more cautious and
Intelligent way. i should recommend
the formation of a commission, properly con-
stitnted, to inquire into the proper methods
OF transacting the interstate commerce of the
country, and after thoroughly examining the
SUBJECT and asserting just what difficulties
were IN tire way, not only of the public receiv-
ing just and equitable rates, but of railroad
companies being able to enforce them, and
from time to time with such knowledge to sub
NIT congress such bills for that body to enact
INTO laws" In answer to questions Mr..
Roberts said that ii that long and short haul
clause should he construed literally the rates
IRON more distant parts of the country, will
be advanced and this Will tend to retard the
development of the west. All pools would
be abolished and rates will be chaotic for a
time until some agreement Is reached by the
dlncrent roads. lie was sure that uniform
basis OF rates would come in the long run.